BAN VS WI 2ND TEST

TOSS - Bangladesh have won the toss and they will BAT first.

UPDATE - 7.04 pm GMT - Great news! The umpires are satisfied with the conditions and have deemed the outfield suitable for play. The TOSS will take place at 7.30 pm GMT, with the first ball set to be bowled at 8 pm GMT. While we do not have official confirmation yet, it looks like we are in for one long session of play. Let’s hope the action makes up for all the wait!

UPDATE - 6.46 pm GMT - Ian Bishop provides a promising update. As the ground staff continue to work diligently on the areas in question, he believes there has been a noticeable improvement. The efforts to address the wet outfield are beginning to show positive results, raising hopes for play to begin soon.

UPDATE - 6.40 pm GMT - We are inching closer to the scheduled inspection. The weather has been favourable so far, with bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine. However, some showers are expected later in the day. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the rain stays away, as it has throughout the day, so the outfield can be ready for play and we can squeeze in as much action as possible. Stay tuned!

UPDATE - 6.05 pm GMT - The match officials have conveyed that there are still areas of concern adjacent to the deck, and as a result, there will be another inspection at 7 pm GMT. Samuel Badree is currently out in the middle providing an update on the conditions. He confirms that the two areas on either side of the strip remain the primary concerns. Adds that the ground staff have been hard at work, applying a substantial amount of sand to these spots to aid in moisture absorption. Samuel also mentions that it is extremely hot, which should help speed up the drying process. He believes that we are getting closer to some action on the field.

UPDATE - 5.53 pm GMT - Nikhil Uttamchandani informs that players have arrived at the venue, with Joshua Da Silva seen taking a stroll around the park. He is observed inspecting the concerning areas near the playing surface, while the fourth umpire is engaged in a conversation with the members of the ground staff. Stick around as the inspection is not far away.

UPDATE - 5.40 pm GMT - In an ideal world, we would have seen the players heading out for the start of the second session by now, but the wet outfield has prevented any play. With the first session washed out, we remain hopeful that the bright sunshine we have had all morning will help dry up the outfield and allow play to begin soon. Remember, the next inspection is scheduled for 6 pm GMT. Fingers crossed for better news then!

As the wait continues at Sabina Park, a familiar figure from the track and field world is present at the venue. None other than Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake is being interviewed by Ian Bishop. Blake shares that he missed the Paris Olympics due to an injury but is currently preparing for the World Athletics Championship scheduled to be held next year in Tokyo. He also reveals that he had always wanted to be a cricketer, with his father particularly loving Test cricket. Blake adds that no matter where he is, he makes sure to follow whichever game is happening across the globe. He also mentions that he is good friends with Rovman Powell, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Marlon Samuels.

UPDATE - 4.14 pm GMT - Live visuals show the match officials and ground staff in discussions following the inspection. The areas adjacent to the pitch remain muddy and waterlogged. The fourth umpire is seen conveying his observations to both camps. Samuel Badree informs that another inspection has been scheduled for 6 pm GMT. It is frustrating for everyone involved, as despite the bright sunshine and clear blue skies, the outfield, still wet from rain over the past week, is making it unsuitable for play. With this, LUNCH has been taken!

UPDATE - 4.07 pm GMT - We are past the time of the scheduled inspection, and an official update on its outcome should be coming shortly. Stick around and keep your fingers crossed for a positive update.

Over in Christchurch, thanks to two days of dominance, England find themselves in the ascendancy in the first Test against New Zealand. In reply to New Zealand's 348, the tourists posted a commanding 499, led by a sensational 171 from Harry Brook and valuable contributions from Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes. The batting performance was backed up by the bowlers, who managed to reduce New Zealand to 155/6 by the close of play on Day 3, leaving them with just a 4-run lead. It will take an extraordinary rescue act from Daryl Mitchell and the tail to give the hosts a competitive total to bowl at.

While we wait for the scheduled inspection, let's take a look at what's happening across the globe in this blockbuster Test season. Earlier today, South Africa sealed a commanding victory in the first Test at Durban. After the hosts posted 191 in their first innings, Marco Jansen wreaked havoc with 7 wickets, bowling Sri Lanka out for just 42. The tourists were always on the back foot from there, with centuries from Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs further extending the hosts' dominance. While Sri Lanka showed improved application in their second innings, it was all in vain. The hosts wrapped up a 233-run win, with Jansen taking four more wickets to finish with a match haul of 11 wickets. This victory has lifted South Africa to second place in the World Test Championship standings.

UPDATE - 2.52 pm GMT - Samuel Badree and Sir Courtney Walsh are out in the middle to give us an update on the conditions. Badree mentions that the pitch looks like an absolute picture, with the sun shining in all its glory. However, he adds that the issue lies just a few meters off the surface. Pressing his toes into the outfield, he feels the sogginess, not just in a spot or two, but along the entire length of the deck. Further says that the ground staff are using a garden fork to make holes in the ground for the air and sunlight to sink in and quicken the drying process. Walsh mentions that the drainage at the venue is not an issue, as the outfield has been relaid. However, he points out that maintenance has been a concern.

UPDATE - 2.33 pm GMT - Uh oh, this was unexpected! Despite a bright and sunny morning in Kingston, rain in the days leading up to the game has left areas around the pitch and outfield soggy. The toss, which should have taken place by now, has been DELAYED. The umpires are not satisfied with the conditions and have scheduled an inspection at 4 pm GMT.

Fans can expect another captivating game where the fast bowlers will look to dominate, but batters who show patience and discipline could emerge as the difference-makers. Whether West Indies seal the series or Bangladesh mount a spirited comeback, this promises to be a fascinating encounter. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, will look to regroup after a disappointing outing in the series opener. While their bowlers, especially Taskin Ahmed with his maiden Test five-wicket haul, were exceptional, the batting lineup remains a concern. The team has struggled with collapses, showing brief glimpses of resilience through Jaker Ali, Mominul Haque, and Mehidy Hasan. Jaker, in particular, has been a revelation, demonstrating grit and maturity early in his Test career. To avoid a sixth consecutive Test defeat, Bangladesh will need their batting unit to step up and support their bowlers, who have consistently delivered even in challenging situations.

The West Indies come into this match with momentum and confidence after a commanding 201-run win in the first Test at North Sound. Their batting showed promise, with several partnerships anchoring the innings and players like Alick Athanaze, Mikyle Louis, and Justin Greaves stepping up under pressure. Greaves' maiden Test century was a highlight, and even Kemar Roach made a valuable contribution with the bat. On the bowling front, the pace quartet, led by the impressive Jayden Seales and supported by the experienced Roach and fiery spells from the Josephs, Alzarri and Shamar, consistently kept Bangladesh under pressure. The hosts will aim to replicate this disciplined all-around display to secure a Test series sweep.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2nd Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Test cricket makes its return to Sabina Park after a three-year hiatus. The last Test played here saw Pakistan secure a series-levelling win, and Bangladesh will hope to replicate that feat this time. Rain played its part in that contest, and with showers forecasted across all five days, the weather could once again have a significant say in this encounter.

... MATCH DAY ...

The countdown is over at Sabina Park in Jamaica, where the latest chapter of the Bangladesh in West Indies, 2 Test Series, 2024 is about to unfold as West Indies cross swords against Bangladesh in a match that is expected to be spectacular. After a commanding win in the first Test, West Indies will be looking to seal the series with another one and continue their dominance over Bangladesh at home. Justin Greaves was the hero for the hosts with a fantastic hundred - his maiden in Tests and contributing with the ball as well. A couple of 90s from Alick Athanaze and Mikyle Louis should also give their batting order a lot of confidence but still the form of skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite is a concern for them. They do have some quality batters like Kavem Hodge, Keacy Carty, and Joshua Da Silva in the middle order, but when put under a bit of pressure, they have a tendency to lose wickets in clumps, which is an area they need to improve on to challenge the top teams in this format. This was also visible in the first Test when they were bowled out cheaply in the second innings. However, their strength lies in their bowling and it is a fiery pace attack that can dismantle any batting lineup. Kemar Roach is still going strong and with all his experience and skills leads from the front while the trio of Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, and Greaves adds more firepower. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have never won a Test in the Caribbean, and without their captain Shanto, and experienced batter, Mushfqur Rahim, they have no margin for error. Despite the loss, they had some positives in the last game. Jaker Ali and Mehidy Hasan were the only batters who showed determination and resilience against the Windies' pace attack. Mominul Haque has been their most reliable batter in this format for the last few years, and they would expect him to provide stability. The most important thing for them is the openers, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan spent some time out in the middle and take the shine out of the new ball. Litton Das is another one who can score runs quickly in the middle order, but the problem for them has been their lack of ability to capitalize on the starts. In the bowling, Taskin Ahmed was the star for them picking up his maiden Test five-wicket haul, and will want to continue the good form and perform in this game as well. Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam make up a solid pace battery but they need to exploit the conditions a bit better. They could also include Nahid Rana for this game, who was excellent in the Test series against Pakistan and has that raw pace that can be challenging for the hosts. The Bangla Tigers will take on the field, a lot more determined as they did have their moments in the first game, but history and form reckon that West Indies have the upper hand and will wrap up the series. Whose side are you on?